These days, there are many options for getting care, whether you’re dealing with a nasty cold, a sprained ankle or a mental health problem. Calling your primary care doctor is always a good first instinct. They know you and your medical history best.
But what if you’re not feeling well after hours, or you can’t get an appointment right away? That’s when options such as telehealth, urgent care and the emergency room come into play.
Do you know how to choose the place that’s the right fit for the care you need? Take the quiz below to find out.
Have a busy schedule? Learn how virtual care could be a more convenient option.
#1: True or false? The emergency room is always my best option for treatment if I’m sick or injured.
Answer: False
Not every illness or injury warrants a trip to the emergency room (ER). ERs are essential medical facilities for healthcare that requires immediate medical attention. But it’s recommended that you only visit there when you need life-saving treatment or you are at risk of permanent disablement due to an injury.
“Emergency room visits should really be reserved for...emergencies,” says Noor Ali, M.D., a healthcare adviser in Tampa, Florida. That means you are experiencing a serious health problem, such as:1
- Chest pain or pressure in your chest
- Pain in the arm or jaw (this can be a sign of a heart attack)
- Poisoning or overdose of drugs or alcohol
- Serious injuries with heavy bleeding or large open wounds
- Broken bones or loss of movement (especially if bone is protruding)
- Severe allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling and hives
- Severe headache, especially if it started suddenly
- Signs of a stroke, such as:
- Confusion or trouble speaking
- Dizziness, loss of balance or trouble walking
- Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg
- Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
- Vomiting or diarrhea that doesn’t stop
Note: This is not an all-inclusive list. If you are unsure if you should go to the ER, contact your provider. If it is outside of normal business hours, they will often provide a number to call in an emergency.
If your situation doesn’t require emergency care, try your primary care doctor or an urgent care center first. Urgent care centers are stand-alone clinics that are equipped to handle urgent but non-life-threatening medical problems.
You’ll save money at an urgent care center compared with an ER, and you’ll likely have a shorter wait time. Plus, “it helps the individuals at the ER who are facing a true life and death situation, so they can be treated first,” says Dr. Ali.
#2: True or false? Telehealth won’t work for me if I don’t have a home computer.
Answer: False.
Telehealth appointments don’t always have to be done over video chat on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Telehealth, sometimes called telemedicine or virtual care, allows you to receive healthcare via:
Data rates may apply. You can also speak with a provider over a landline or basic cellphone. A home computer or smartphone is not required.
What you will need is privacy. Your healthcare provider will call you from a private setting such as their office or an empty appointment room, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.2 You’ll want to find a private space where you feel safe to openly discuss your health concerns.
Private locations for your appointment include:
- An empty room in your place of employment
- A private room in your home
- A spare room in a friend’s home
- Outdoors, away from other people
If you can’t find a place where other people won’t hear what you’re saying, let your provider know. You may be able to email, chat or text through your provider’s patient portal instead. That’s a secure, password-protected messaging or email system accessed through your provider’s website. Your provider can also help you reschedule for a time when you can be alone or suggest a private location for the visit.
#3: Which of the following medical issues can best be treated at an urgent care center? (Choose all that apply.)
A) Chest pain
B) Urinary tract infection (UTI)
C) Sore throat
D) Heavy bleeding
E) All of the above
Answers: B and C
Urgent care centers are designed to handle illnesses and injuries that aren’t life-threatening but can’t necessarily wait for an appointment with your primary care doctor.
“These medical clinics are designed to treat most common urgent issues that people traditionally went to the ER for,” says Dr. Ali. Many are open 24 hours a day and don’t require an appointment.
In addition to a UTI or sore throat, urgent care centers are equipped to handle things like:
Chest pain and heavy bleeding can be life-threatening emergencies, so it’s best to call 911 or head to the ER in those cases.
#4: I think I may have broken a bone. Where should I go to have it checked out? (Choose one answer.)
A) Emergency room
B) Urgent care
C) Primary care provider
D) Nowhere yet. I will wait to see if the pain gets worse.
Answer: B
If you know you have a broken bone — particularly if it has pushed through the skin — the ER is the way to go. But if you aren’t sure if your bone is broken, you’re better off going to an urgent care center to have it looked at first.
Urgent care providers can assess your injury and treat it there in many cases. They can help you set up a follow-up appointment with an orthopedist if needed. (That’s a type of doctor that treats broken bones.) Or they can make arrangements to get you to an ER if the injury is more serious.
If you answered D, you won’t get any bonus health points for being brave. If you think you may have an injury, it’s best to have it checked out right away.
#5: Which is the most expensive place to seek medical treatment?
A) Your primary care doctor
B) Urgent care
C) Emergency room
D) None of the above
Answer: C
According to MedlinePlus, a trip to the ER can cost as much as 2 or even 3 times as much as a visit to a doctor’s office to get the same type of care.1
“Emergency rooms are significantly more expensive because they are staffed and equipped for severe conditions,” says Bruce Y. Lee, M.D., M.B.A., professor of health policy and management at CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy.
If you don’t need that level of specialized care, you may save money by going to one of the other options.
#6: True or false? It’s always best to see someone in person for mental health care.
Answer: False
Behavioral health services, such as mental health therapy and counseling, are widely available through telehealth these days. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, virtual visits for mental health are a convenient way to access the following:3
- Anxiety and depression monitoring
- Medication prescribing (some providers may have to refer you for controlled substances)
Telehealth is a great option if there aren’t many mental health care providers near you. Or perhaps you may just feel more at ease talking to someone from the comfort of your own home. Of course, if you prefer to talk to someone in person, that’s an option too.
Check your health insurance plan details to learn more about where you can get care and what your virtual care options are.
Many plans also offer access to 24/7 nurse hotlines and other telehealth services. These services can be convenient and affordable, and a great first step if you’re not sure where to go to get care.
Whatever the case may be, it’s important to get the care you need, when you need it.
Want to avoid waiting rooms? Learn more about virtual telehealth visits, or call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.
For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.
Sources:
- MedlinePlus. “When to use the emergency room — adult.” September 4, 2024. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000593.htm
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “How do I protect my data and privacy?” February 29, 2024. Retrieved from https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/telehealth-privacy-for-patients#privacy-during-your-appointment
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “How do I use telehealth for behavioral health care?” January 17, 2025. Retrieved from https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/telehealth-and-behavioral-health
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